Site Management Support Team Leader

Introduction

The Danish Refugee Council assists refugees and internally displaced persons across the globe: we provide emergency aid, fight for their rights, and strengthen their opportunity for a brighter future. We work in conflict-affected areas, along the displacement routes, and in the countries where refugees settle. In cooperation with local communities, we strive for responsible and sustainable solutions. We work toward successful integration and – whenever possible – for the fulfillment of the wish to return home.

The Danish Refugee Council was founded in Denmark in 1956 and has since grown to become an international humanitarian organization with more than 7,000 staff and 8,000 volunteers. Based in Copenhagen (Denmark) and present in forty countries, the Danish Refugee Council is a non-profit-making, politically independent, non-governmental and non-denominational relief organization.

Our vision is a dignified life for all displaced. All our efforts are based on our value compass: humanity, respect, independence and neutrality, participation, and honesty and transparency.

 

1. Background

DRC has been operating in Greece since November 2015, providing support to the Greek Ministry of Migration Policy in ensuring dignified reception conditions for refugees and migrants arriving on Lesvos island. In March 2016, DRC expanded its operations in Athens, in response to the changing context and the build-up of refugee population on mainland Greece.

 

2. Purpose

Under the direct management of DRC’s Attica Area Manager, the SMS Team Leader, in close collaboration with the other SMS staff, will be responsible for supporting the relevant Greek authorities in the day-to-day management of the open accommodation refugee site and overseeing the management of all of DRC’s site-based staff, including those working in the sectors of shelter/site operations, WASH, NFI distribution, community services and help desk. SMS-specific activities will entail supporting the implementation of coordination mechanisms and tools to ensure relevant and accessible services, fill gaps and avoid duplication, and building and strengthening effective partnerships with a diversity of stakeholders at the site level. In addition, the SMS Team Leader will be tasked to collaborate with the roving SMS Coordinator to build the capacity and general SMS knowledge of the other SMS staff working on site

 

3. Duties and Responsibilities

Management and Programme Quality 

• Oversee the daily management of the site, including project cycle management and managing assigned budgets. 

• Lead SMS staff to identify gaps and needs in service provision on site and develop proactive solutions and strategies in agreement with the responsible Greek authorities. 

• Work closely with the Area Manager and the country office SMS Coordinator to ensure that all SMS activities in Attica are relevant, responsive and are being appropriately monitored and evaluated.  

• Support to identify, design and implement standardized SMS tools and support staff to ensure consistency and quality of reporting.  

• Support in the development of site-specific strategies and plans, including strategies for the regular and participatory engagement with the communities.  

• Work closely with sector-specific technical advisors to ensure integration between SMS and other sectors (e.g. Protection, Non-Formal, Education, Integration).

• Contribute to the development of technical SMS components of proposals, donor reports, site reports, advocacy and policy notes and other SMS reports as required. 

• Ensure that all SMS activities (including verification exercises, exit strategy, NFI distributions, shelter allocation, info management) are conducted promptly by respective teams and based on the pre-agreed procedures and objectives.

Monitoring and Reporting 

• Ensure that projects and associated activities are implemented in accordance with agreed strategies, principles, implementation plans, and donor requirements. This will include all DRC funded activities on site, including activities in the sectors of shelter, WASH, NFI distribution, community services 

• In collaboration with the Athens-based and country office MEL colleague, ensure the implementation of projects complies with quality standards and are monitored in accordance with pre-defined objectives and indicators.  

• Lead the SMS team to complete accurate and timely reports. 

Finance and Administration  

• Assume responsibility as primary budget holder of all projects on site and support the development of site-specific SMS components for new budgets.  

• Collaborate closely with the Attica Area Manager and finance team to monitor spending and ensure the timely utilization of all grants.  

• Ensure full compliance with DRC and donor financial guidelines and policies. 

Human Resources and Personnel Management 

• Assume overall management responsibilities for DRC’s site teams and support respectful and positive working relationships, which allow for the effective implementation of all activities. This is to be achieved through leadership, team building, day-to-day support, capacity-building and both strong SMS and generalist knowledge. 

• Lead site-level recruitment processes and ensure that relevant staffing structures are in place. 

• Promote professional development by identifying training and capacity building opportunities and ensure staff are well versed in core humanitarian concepts, DRC's Code of Conduct, accountability, respectful dialogue with the refugee population, and prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse.  

Logistics and Procurement 

• Collaborate with field staff and the Supply Chain teams to develop and maintain comprehensive procurement plans. 

• Ensure field-based records are well managed, fulfill DRC and donor requirements, and are always up-to-date for use in donor reports.  

• Regularly review procurement plans to adjust spending as required in advance of project closure.  

Security 

• Comply with DRC safety and security procedures and make sure that all site-based staff are trained in and comply with relevant policies    

• Ensure that security incidents at the site-level are reported to the Country Director and Area Manager in a timely manner according to organizational procedures.  

 Representation 

• Liaise with local authorities, service providers and humanitarian actors to support mapping of services and development of effective referral pathways 

• Attend all relevant fora and meetings/working groups, with the objective of making positive contributions to coordination and strengthening DRC’s position

• Identify and foster professional and constructive relationships with government and municipality authorities, as well as with all relevant actors and stakeholders

• Ensure effective coordination and a constructive collaboration among all site-based DRC teams and other actors

Accountability 

• Guided by the DRC Programme Handbook, continuously monitor and suggest relevant accountability initiatives in the field as well as strengthening the effort to document the impact of DRC activities in the area. 

4. Required Qualifications

• Strong computer skills

• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in the design and implementation of humanitarian, or development projects with an international or national NGO at a managerial level.

• University degree in social or political science, or at least 3 years of field experience in a management position; 

• Fluency in written and spoken Greek and English with excellent analytical and writing skills. Farsi, and/or Arabic is a strong advantage.

• Proven capacity to adapt to a dynamic and changing operational environment.

• Sound knowledge of the refugee context in Greece (including legislation, procedures and service providers) is a requirement.

 

5. Required Skills & Qualities

• Core Competencies of DRC: 

   o Striving for excellence

   o Collaboration

   o Taking the lead

   o Communication

   o Demonstrating Integrity

• Ability to work in a multinational and multicultural environment 

• Proactivity, with a sound commitment to teamwork and with a spirit of genuine collaboration

• Strong initiative and self-motivated, with a strong commitment to humanitarian principle and high sense of ethics

• Excellent communication skills, as well as patience and politeness, are needed

• Ability to cope with high workload and stress and identify priority activities and assignments, and adjust priorities as required

• Multi-tasking and organizational skills is a must, and a good sense of humor

 

6. Terms & Conditions

• The contract will be under the Greek Labor Law (this is a national position) 

• All allowances will be provided to the employees (Christmas, Easter, Vacation bonus)

• DRC provides training opportunities to develop and strengthen the quality of its services as well as its staff members’ professional and personal development.

• The position will be based in Attika (Greece) and national terms and conditions apply

 

7. Application Process

Are you interested? Then apply for this position on line: www.drc.dk/about-drc/vacancies/current-vacancies. All applicants must send a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages). Both must be in English.

DRC provides equal opportunity in employment and prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability. DRC encourages all applicants to apply and does not practice any discrimination in any recruitment process. However, applicants must be aware that DRC cannot systemically sponsor non-EU citizen or non-Greek resident for all the steps of legal process to get a work permit and/or a residency permit in Greece. 

Applications close on the 29th of September 2019. Applications submitted after this date will not be considered.

Due to the urgency of the position, DRC has the right to recruit a candidate who matches the required profile before the above deadline.